Speak Out 9/21/06

Paying for Medicaid

I AM opposed to increasing the cigarette tax. This is an unfair tax that would result in smokers' footing the bill for Medicaid. It is unfair to make 26 percent of Missouri's population pay for the Medicaid program -- $351 million gets divided six ways, including $61 million that goes to anti-tobacco campaigns. How fair is that?

Tax eaters too

THE CIGARETTE tax is on the ballot in November would raise the tax on cigarettes by 80 cents a pack. How about raising the restaurant tax by 80 cents to help fight the huge medical problem that is on the horizon because of all the people who eat to much and are overweight? Overweight Americans will pose a medical crisis 10 times worse then cigarette smokers ever caused.

A decent life

A TEACHER said he brought home approximately $19,000 after taxes, insurance and retirement for a family of three. I have to work 12 months a year. I get six paid holidays a year along with three weeks of vacation. That includes my sick time. I brought home $15,313.37 last year after working on my job for 19 years. That is for a family of four. I work in a hospital and have to pay for insurance, taxes and retirement also. I do it because it is a job and I can support my family on it. We do not live dirt poor. We live a decent life. Quit griping about your wages.

Showing support

THIS OLD Marine was deeply moved by those businesses in Jackson that took the time to show support for the passing of Cpl. Jeremy Shank. Thank you for putting something on the signs in front of your businesses. For those who felt competing for the dollar was more important, may your conscience be your judge.

Deepest sympathy

TO THE family of Cpl. Jeremy Shanks: As an over-the-road driver, I was unable to attend the services for your loved one. My family and I would like to offer our deepest sympathy to all of you. In honor of your son, the flag at our home will stay at half-staff for the next 30 days. May God bless you.

No neat packages

I THINK it is time to stop using the word "evil" anytime something we don't like happens. It has been so overused that it has lost all meaning. "Evil" is subjective. No one country, ethnicity or religion has a monopoly on morality, so who defines what is good or evil? The United States? Christians? The world is too complicated to put everything into neat little packages and slap labels on them.

Get a pass

IF A U.S. citizen gives fake or stolen ID to a cop or the feds, he is looking at jail time. If an illegal alien does these things, he is given a pass.

Quick answer

THE POPE was at a German university and during a lecture brought up a medieval text that questioned the Islamic religion. The pope was questioning whether Islam promotes violence. Islamic terrorists made his point by trying to burn five churches in Palestine and Gaza in retaliation for the pope's question. They gave us an answer in our newspaper.

Lazy parents

NO CHILD Left Behind should be referred to as "lazy parents who aren't involved." A couple of schools score poorly on state tests, so we are going to let parents think it's the school's fault rather than their own? Brilliant.

Band winners

CONGRATULATIONS TO the Central High School Marching Tigers for winning second place in addition to three outstanding caption awards in percussion, music and visual performance in Murphysboro, Ill., last weekend. What a great start. Best wishes for a wonderful season.

Daily reminder

TODAY WE stood in a sea of flags outside a local church. Our community had gathered to pay tribute to the Shanks family and their son, Jeremy. My son stood beside me. He too had served a tour of duty in Iraq, and I thought how blessed I was to be standing with him at that moment rather than saying a final goodbye. Today was a somber reminder that freedom is not free. I hope you will fly your flag each and every day as a visual reminder of the immense privileges we have living under a flag that flies over a free nation.

Extra support

WHEN I stayed at the Safe House for Women, I needed the help of the administrators every day and sometimes at a moment's notice. Women staying there who are homeless may not need them so much, but for those of us who were abused we were glad they were right there. I'm sorry to hear they're moving away from the women and kids.

Proper respect

I'D LIKE to thank the Southeast Missourian and other media outlets for their tasteful, low-keyed coverage of Cpl. Jeremy Shank's funeral. Creating a media circus would have only attracted those who feed on such things and would have distracted from the real purpose. Bringing Corporal Shank home with respect and honor deserving of such an American hero is a community and family matter. Well done.

Deserve recognition

KIT BOND and Jim Talent were elected by the majority. My gosh, if we can't trust them with naming a government building, what can we trust them with? I'm disappointed to see some Cape Girardeans who want to get into petty issue such as naming the courthouse. The Limbaughs deserve recognition.

Corner beauty

IF YOU haven't driven by the corner of Broadway and Kingshighway lately, please do so. What a change. Capaha Bank's new facility has placed several beautiful statues of children playing and filled the corner with roses. I drive daily all around the city, and this is one of my favorite spots.